David Reinbacher
19y, EHC Kloten, NL, Switzerland
Reinbacher played two games this weekend, Friday against Biel, and Saturday against Langnau. In each game he got to play around 20 minutes, playing both on the power play and the penalty kill. However, Kloten lost Friday’s game on a goaltender error in overtime after Biel equalized on a Nathan Beaulieu error in the dying minutes of the game.
The good thing was that Reinbacher got a lot of chances on special teams and had good zone exits and entries. However, there were a few instances when he took the eyes off the puck when he had control and lost it. I wonder if it is a lingering effect of the “upper-body injury” that he sustained, and the fact that he might have missed a bit of actual game time. He had a mistake like that in the last game before the international break, so it is a thing to keep an eye upon going forward.
Reinbacher was credited with an assist, but it was a one-metre pass below the faceoff circle in his own end which the receiver took to the other end; an assist good for the stats, but in a way, nothing more.
Kloten fired Gerry Fleming after Saturday’s loss and provided this quote (via Swisshockeynews.ch): “Due to the risk of not reaching the club’s declared goals, the management is of the opinion that in the current situation, new impulses are needed.”
Reinbacher’s development should not be harmed. He is already one of the best defencemen on the team, and it could impact his penalty-kill minutes in a positive way, but overall I don’t think this will be a huge impact as the GM, Larry Mitchell, was the coach of Kloten the two previous seasons.
Vinzenz Rohrer
19y, ZSC Lions, NL, Switzerland
In his three games with the Austrian national team, Rohrer wasn’t credited with any points, and he didn’t partake in any of Zürich games over the weekend.
Adam Engström
20y, Rögle BK, SHL, Sweden
There were two big games for Rögle last week as both were against teams below them in the standings. Rögle managed two wins (one in a shootout), and Engström had two assists in the first game, both coming at five-on-five.
While points are good, the most important thing was that Engström was only on the ice for one goal against. While not his fault per se, he ended up a bit too high in the zone and the forward covering his position didn’t cover the rebound.
Overall, Engström played a solid game. His power-play usage has taken a hit with Ekeståhl-Johnsson coming into the team, something that is a bit disappointing. However he was used in the three-on-three overtime, and still managed to get 19-plus minutes of time in both games.
While Engström is known for his offence, I find it extremely good to see him develop his defensive game this season. It is easy to focus on the offence as the easy accessible numbers, but he plays more physical and with a clearer defensive intent that bodes well for his future.
Filip Eriksson
18y, Växjö Lakers, SHL, Sweden
No games after four matches last weekend. Eriksson was doing well in the Five Nations tournament and had a goal and an assist for his troubles. Sweden scored nine against Slovakia, and in one way I am happy that none of the points for Eriksson came in that game but rather against better opponents.
It won’t be his goal-scoring touch that brings him to the World Juniors, though, if Eriksson makes it into the team, it will be because of his versatility. He can play any situation for the team and that might come in handy when the final roster is due.
Oliver Kapanen
20y, KalPa, Liiga, Finland
One player getting power-play time is Oliver Kapanen, and he showcased something we haven’t seen enough of: his shot. This time I like how he floats down the ice like a butterfly before he stings like a bee with a wicket shot.
Kapanen is earning a lot of ice time, around 20 min a game last week, and while he has scored from in close earlier this season I think this is the kind of goal that really builds confidence. This is a sniper’s goal, and that position on the power play is something I hope he gets the chance to play more often.
He would receive more reps with the speedy, crisp passing that seems to be lacking in many European teams.
I think Kapanen will get a chance in the AHL next season, and he should use this year in Finland to decide which role he’ll have, the all-rounder or the offensive forward that is defensively secure. It’s up to him to prove he wants to be the latter.
Petteri Nurmi
21y, HPK, Liiga, Finland
Finally there was something from Nurmi to cheer about: a power play goal. His ice time has increased after a dip a few weeks ago.
Can Nurmi put together a full season where he performs to a higher level? That is the question. If he does, he might get a chance with Laval, even if I doubt it. HPK is a bottom-dwelling team and it would be interesting to see what Nurmi could do if he gets traded before the playoffs.
Bogdan Konyushkov
20y, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL, Russia
Not to be outdone, Konyushkov scored from the blue line. However as I mention in the tweet; the shot goes nowhere without the screen.
Yevgeni Volokhin
18y, Mamonty Yugry, MHL, Russia
A 27-save clean sheet from the Russian goalie who guarded the net in one of the weekend’s games. It brings his save percentage up to .937 and his goals-against average to 1.57. A strong season indeed.
Alexander Gordin
22y, Ryazan-VDV, VHL, Russia
Gordin leads his team with 15 points (8G, 7A) in 25 games with a shooting percentage of 17.8%.
Dmitri Kostenko
21y, Khimik Voskresensk, VHL, Russia
Kostenko is on the second pairing for Khimik according to ice time and looks to be solid in that regard.
Anton Rasegård and Patrik Bexell discussed the first quarter of the European season in Friday’s Habsent Minded:
